Whole Earth Technical
I. Introduction
Name and Legal Status
The name of the organization shall be “Whole Earth Technical” (hereinafter referred to as “the School”).
The School is established as a not for profit organization under the laws of Connecticut (CT), USA, with the purpose of advancing education, research, and creative practice at the intersection of art, theory, and technology.
Mission Statement
The mission of the School is to explore and advance the relationship between art and technology, fostering a community of learners and creators who are equipped to critically and creatively engage with the technological forces shaping contemporary culture. The School aims to cultivate artists and thinkers who contribute to the ethical and cultural development of society through innovative and responsible use of technology.
II. Objectives and Activities
Educational Programs
To provide comprehensive educational programs that integrate art and technology and non degree courses that emphasize practice based learning, critical theory, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
To offer free tuition, grants, and other forms of financial assistance to ensure that education is accessible to a diverse population of students, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Research and Development
To support research that explores new forms of artistic expression made possible by technological advancements, with a focus on projects that have ethical, social, and cultural implications.
To establish and maintain state of the art facilities, including digital fabrication labs, media labs, and bioart labs, where students and faculty can experiment with and develop new technologies in the service of artistic creation.
Public Engagement and Outreach
To engage with the broader community through exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and public lectures that disseminate knowledge and showcase the work of students, faculty, and visiting artists.
To build partnerships with cultural institutions, technology companies, and other educational entities, both locally and globally, to foster collaboration and exchange.
Global and Cultural Exchange
To develop and maintain exchange programs with international institutions, providing students and faculty with opportunities to engage with diverse artistic and technological practices from around the world.
To organize global residencies, joint projects, and collaborative research initiatives that expand the School’s influence and contribute to the global discourse on art and technology.
IV. Governance and Structure
Legal Compliance and Governance Framework
The School shall adhere to all necessary formal structures required by law for its tax exempt status, including the establishment of a Board of Directors for the purpose of ensuring legal compliance, financial oversight, and strategic direction.
The Board shall serve as a legal and regulatory entity but will not hold authority over day to day decision making or the core operational aspects of the School.
Organizational Structure and Decision Making
While the School will maintain a formal Board of Directors to fulfill its legal and regulatory responsibilities, the operational structure of the School shall embody a non hierarchical, decentralized approach based on the principles of anarchist organization.
The School’s decision making processes will prioritize collective participation, consensus building, and shared leadership. Power and authority will be distributed across various bodies within the School, such as faculty, students, and staff, fostering a dynamic, cooperative environment.
Committees, working groups, and assemblies will be formed as needed to address specific functions or issues. These groups will operate with transparency, inclusivity, and accountability, ensuring that all members of the School have an equal voice in the decision making process.
The Executive Director, while appointed by the Board, will act as a coordinator and facilitator of operations, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to support the mission of the School without imposing a top down directive.
Board of Directors
The Board shall be composed of a small group of individuals with varied expertise to fulfill its legal and financial duties. However, it will function primarily as a body for ensuring that the School remains compliant with legal requirements and is financially viable.
Board members will serve for terms of 5 years, with positions including a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Treasurer, who will act as facilitators rather than authoritative figures.
The Board will meet at least twice per year to review legal and financial matters but will not intervene in the day to day operations of the School or its decision making processes.
Board members will engage in regular dialogue with the community to ensure that their oversight aligns with the collective vision of the School and the needs of its members.
Faculty, Staff, and Students
Faculty and staff will work collaboratively in a flat, non hierarchical structure, where leadership is distributed based on expertise, contribution, and the needs of the School. Faculty will have a key role in shaping curriculum and research directions, but decisions will be made collectively.
The School will encourage ongoing input from students, staff, and faculty through regular assemblies, forums, and feedback mechanisms that ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to decision making processes.
The Executive Director and other administrative staff will work to support the collective leadership model, facilitating communication and coordination across all areas of the School.
IV. Financial Management
Funding Sources
The School shall be funded through a combination of grants, donations, sponsorships, and revenue from public programs and services.
The School shall actively seek funding from government agencies, private foundations, corporations, and individual donors to support its mission of tuition free learning and ensure long term sustainability.
Financial Oversight
The Board of Directors shall establish a Finance Committee responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial management, including the preparation and approval of an annual budget, monitoring of expenditures, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
The School shall maintain transparent financial records and conduct annual audits to ensure the responsible use of funds.
V. Ethical Standards and Accountability
Commitment to Ethical Practices
The School shall adhere to the highest ethical standards in all of its activities, ensuring that its educational programs, research, and public engagement initiatives are conducted with integrity and respect for all individuals and communities.
The School shall promote an inclusive environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, including recruitment, admissions, hiring, and community engagement.
Accountability and Reporting
The School shall provide regular reports to the Board of Directors, stakeholders, and the public on its activities, achievements, and financial status.
The School shall establish mechanisms for feedback and evaluation to continuously improve its programs and operations, ensuring alignment with its mission and responsiveness to the needs of its community.
VI. Amendments to the Charter
Procedures for Amendment
This charter may be amended by a two thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members of the Board at least 60 days in advance of the meeting at which the vote is to take place.
Any amendments to the charter shall be consistent with the mission and values of the School and shall be promptly communicated to all stakeholders.
Review Process
The Board of Directors shall review this charter at least once every [number] years to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in guiding the organization.
VII. Dissolution
Procedures for Dissolution
In the event that the School must be dissolved, the Board of Directors shall oversee the orderly liquidation of assets, payment of liabilities, and distribution of remaining funds in a manner consistent with the organization’s mission and legal obligations.
Any remaining assets after the satisfaction of all liabilities shall be distributed to one or more not for profit organizations with similar purposes, as determined by the Board of Directors.
This charter is adopted by the Board of Directors of the Whole Earth Technical on December 1st, 2024.